DC Cancels “Hellblazer,” Announces New 52-Based “Constantine” Ongoing

DC Comics announced today that the imprint’s longest running monthly series “Hellblazer” will release its final installment with February’s issue #300. But from the ashes of the popular occult detective’s Silk Cut cigarettes rises a new series, this one based in the New 52 DC Universe.

Under the guidance of New York Times bestselling author and comic book scribe Robert Venditti, “Constantine” will debut in the wake of his mature audience counterpart’s departure. Joined by artist Renato Guides, Venditti’s stories will take the current Justice League Dark charter member on a trip through the DCU’s magical side roads, promising fans of the character that this Constantine will retain his edge.

“He’s going to be the same age that he is in Justice League Dark and the same character that people know and recognize,” Venditti told the Associated Press. “The drinking and smoking, the con man aspect of him – that’s going to be very much part of the series.”

Check out the full press release below and stay tuned to CBR for more on “Constantine.”

Official Press Release

John Constantine has been a constant presence in the pages of DC Comics, having first appeared in SWAMP THING in the 1980s and up through his current adventures in the pages of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK, ANIMAL MAN and SWORD OF SORCERY.

Now, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS announced this morning that the chain-smoking British occult detective will headline his own ongoing comic book series as part of DC Comics-The New 52.

Launching in March 2013, CONSTANTINE will be written by upcoming DEMON KNIGHTS writer and New York Times bestselling author of The Homeland Directive and the sci-fi graphic novel series The Surrogates, Robert Venditti, with incredible art by Renato Guedes (SUPERMAN).

“Few characters in comics are as complex and entertaining as John Constantine, and I’m finding him to be every bit as enjoyable to write as he is to read,” says Venditti. “It’s my goal to have the new CONSTANTINE series be equal parts familiarity and surprise. Â This will be the Constantine we all know and love, but facing new and unexpected challenges from both inside and out.”

HELLBLAZER, Vertigo’s longest-running series which currently headlines John Constantine, will end with issue #300 in February. John Constantine has escaped, cheated, narrowly avoided and even reversed death on multiple occasions. Now, in the conclusion of “Death and Cigarettes,” longtime writer Peter Milligan and artists Giuseppe Camuncoli and Stefano Landini will test whether he’s got one more second chance in him, giving him the bloody best sendoff he deserves.